Feast - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Junk Food
Symbolizes single life, indulgence, and a carefree, bachelor lifestyle. It also represents comfort and a return to old habits during times of sadness.
In the beginning, James and Winston bond over an abundance of junk food like pizza, bacon, and nachos. After James and Kirby break up, he reverts to these eating habits, which initially pleases Winston.
Healthy Food (Vegetables)
Represents the influence of a new relationship, compromise, and a healthier, more mature lifestyle. Initially, it is seen as an unwelcome change by Winston.
When James starts dating Kirby, a waitress, she introduces healthy foods like brussels sprouts into their diet, much to Winston's disgust.
Parsley
Symbolizes Kirby's presence and the love James feels for her. It acts as a catalyst for Winston's realization and subsequent action to reunite the couple.
A single sprig of parsley on Winston's food reminds a depressed James of Kirby, triggering his sadness. Winston then steals the parsley and takes it to Kirby to bring them back together.
Meatball
Symbolizes the happy culmination of James and Kirby's relationship and the beginning of their new family. It represents a joyful compromise between the old and new ways of life.
At the end of the film, after James and Kirby have a baby, a meatball falls from the baby's highchair, signaling to Winston that delicious human food is once again a part of his life, bringing the story full circle.
Philosophical Questions
What is the nature of selfless love?
The film explores this question through the character of Winston. His love for James evolves from a transactional relationship based on food to a genuine, selfless bond. Winston's ultimate act of reuniting James and Kirby, even though it means a return to the healthy food he dislikes, forces the viewer to consider what it means to truly love someone. It suggests that true love involves prioritizing another's happiness over one's own desires and comforts, a sacrifice that ultimately leads to a deeper, more fulfilling connection.
How do our daily rituals define our lives and relationships?
"Feast" uses the daily ritual of eating to chronicle the significant moments in a person's life. The shared meals are not just about sustenance; they are a backdrop for courtship, conflict, and reconciliation. The film posits that the mundane, everyday moments—the shared pizza on the couch, the celebratory dinner, the sad, lonely takeout—are the very fabric of our lives and relationships. It encourages the audience to find the profound in the ordinary and to recognize how our shared rituals shape our personal histories.
Core Meaning
The central message of "Feast" revolves around the idea of selfless love and the sacrifices we make for those we care about. Director Patrick Osborne intended to explore how a life story could be told through the meals shared, illustrating the emotional significance of food in our relationships. The film suggests that true happiness comes not from personal indulgence but from the joy and well-being of our loved ones. Winston's journey from a food-obsessed stray to a loyal companion who actively works to reunite his owner with his love interest demonstrates that love requires compromise and putting others' needs before our own. Ultimately, the film conveys that the 'feast' of life is not just about the food we eat, but about the people we share it with and the love that nourishes our souls.